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Biomedical subjects

J Berry

Publications and source records attributed to J Berry.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Expression of the N-myc oncogene in Wilms' tumour and related tissues.

Tissue samples and cell cultures from Wilms' tumour matched histologically normal kidney samples and EBV transformed B cells from the same patients, were analysed to detect changes in the structure and expression of the N-myc oncogene. The levels of expression of HLA class I and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase were also measured in the various RNA preparations. Related tissue samples, from sources including congenital mesoblastic nephroma, paediatric neuroblastoma and a number of foetal tissues were also tested. Northern blot analysis indicated that the levels of N-myc were higher in Wilms' tumour tissues (with no parallel increase in gene copy number) compared to all other sources of material including foetal kidney. Particularly high levels of expression were observed in a number of the Wilms' tumours, several of which produced metastases. In situ hybridization, using [35S]-labelled RNA probes, confirmed that the high levels of N-myc RNA were present in the blastemal elements in the Wilms' tumour. All the tissue cultures, and tissue samples from other sources, except foetal brain and neuroblastoma, contained uniformly low levels of N-myc RNA.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Demyelination and axonal degeneration in Lewis rat experimental allergic neuritis depend on the myelin dosage.

We describe the clinical and pathologic features of experimental allergic neuritis in Lewis rats inoculated with varying doses of myelin, ranging from 0.5 to 20 mg. The clinical scores were assessed daily. On days 18 and 19 or 28 postimmunization, the rats were perfused with fixative and samples of cervical and lumbar roots and sciatic nerves were processed and embedded in Epon. Tissues were examined by light and electron microscopy and the degree of edema, inflammation, demyelination, and axonal degeneration was assessed quantitatively. We found that the severity of clinical and pathologic experimental allergic neuritis correlated positively with the dose of myelin used for immunization. High dose tolerance was not observed. Demyelination prevailed in nerve roots and increased with higher doses of antigen. Accompanying axonal degeneration was seen only with high doses of myelin. The pathology of sciatic nerves differed. Sciatic nerves of rats immunized with 0.5 and 1 mg of myelin were either normal or showed perivenular lymphocytic infiltrates and demyelination, but nerves from rats with higher immunizing doses of myelin showed increasingly severe axonal degeneration. The axonal degeneration in nerve roots paralleled the degree of inflammation and demyelination and may have been a nonspecific product of the inflammatory reaction. However, the much more severe axonal destruction seen in sciatic nerves with high myelin doses was probably due to other pathogenetic mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Exercise conditioning in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Fifty-nine patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) performed pulmonary function and exercise tests before and after participation in a 12-day pulmonary rehabilitation inpatient program. Postdischarge follow-ups were performed at three months. Training consisted of twice daily aerobic exercise of 30 to 40 minutes' duration. Intensity of training was determined after exercise testing and approached the maximal limits of ventilation. In general, the program failed to demonstrate significant changes in pulmonary function. Exceptions were mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75) (p less than .02) and peak flow rate (p less than .05). Evaluation of exercise capacity via maximal exercise testing yielded significant increases in caloric expenditure (p less than .001), peak exercise oxygen consumption (p less than .001), and work output (p less than .0001). Peak exercise ventilation increased significantly (p less than .005) due to an increase in tidal volume (p less than .002). Work efficiency improved with training, but the change was not statistically significant. Resting oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were decreased (p less than .05); tidal volume was increased (p less than .005). However, the significant increase noted in tidal volume did not alter minute ventilation. In general, the changes noted at 12 days were maintained at three months postdischarge. These data support the hypothesis that a short-term, in-hospital program of general exercise conditioning can improve work output, gas exchange, and mechanical efficiency without significantly affecting spirometric indices. These changes may translate into improved performance of activities of daily living and a sense of general well-being.

Efficiency↗
PubMed1987

Somatic evolution of diversity among anti-phosphocholine antibodies induced with Proteus morganii.

The variable region sequences of light and heavy chains (VL and VH) were determined for 11 hybridoma antibodies produced in response to the PC moiety on Proteus morganii. These hybridomas were derived from two separate fusions, one obtained from mice early in a secondary response and the other from late in a secondary response. All of these antibodies possessed a cross-reactive idiotype found on anti-PC antibodies in the M603 family, and exhibited preferential specificity for PC in the context of P. morganii. We found that all of the antibodies were derived from a single VH/VL pair. VH was encoded by V1, DFL16.1 and JH1, and VL was encoded by a consensus VK8 gene and JK5. Antibodies differed from each other by somatic point mutations that occurred at a high rate. The mutations in VL were approximately one-third as abundant as those in VH and were randomly distributed throughout the molecule. Mutations in VH were concentrated in CDR 2 and 3 and had a replacement to silent ratio that was three to six times greater than predicted from random accumulation. Based on the sequence data, a single genealogic tree with multiple branches could accommodate all the hybrids from a fusion. We concluded that in both examples the anti-PC response arose by somatic mutation and stepwise selection from a single precursor. Antigen binding studies with these 11 hybridomas and a 12th that had no mutations revealed that the acquisition of preferential specificity for antigen was dependent on somatic mutation of germline genes. Additional binding studies demonstrated that continued selection during clonal expansion was probably antigen driven. An unexpected finding was five independently selected antibodies from one fusion that had identically mutated VH and VL sequences. We suggest that the hypermutation mechanism is not a continuously active process during clonal expansion and that it is regulated, probably during the mid to late phase of the primary response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

The use of a panel of monoclonal antibodies in pediatric oncology.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies including antibodies against neuroectodermal antigens, (UJ13A, UJ127.11, UJ181.4), leukocytes (2D1), intermediate filament antigens cytokeratin (LE61), Vimentin, Desmin (Labsystems, Helsinki, Finland), myoglobin, and neurofilament (155) antigens were assessed for their use as an adjunct to light microscopy in pediatric pathology, with particular emphasis on the "small round cell" tumors. One hundred thirty-four tumors were studied using immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques. The differentiation of neuroblastoma from lymphoma proved to have a clear-cut immunologic profile, as did the rhabdomyosarcomas, which showed consistent positivity with neuroectodermal antibody UJ13A and in positive binding with antidesmin. Ewing's sarcoma did not give a clear immunohistologic pattern with these antibodies. This panel was shown to have been a valuable aid to diagnosis in 12% of cases studied. The future use of such a panel for routine diagnostic use is discussed, but it is emphasized that the binding pattern of these tumors is often heterogeneous, and examination in conjunction with conventional histology is essential if the correct conclusions are to be made.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Modulation of natural killer cell activity in stage I postmenopausal breast cancer patients on low-dose aminoglutethimide.

Natural killer (NK) cells are important in surveillance against malignant cells. The activity of NK cells can be modulated by naturally occurring mediators; interferon, interleukin-2, and hormones. Low-dose aminoglutethimide (Ag 250 mg/day) inhibits the peripheral aromatization of androstenedione hence decreasing circulating estrogens. Of ten patients treated, seven were evaluable. There was a statistically significant increase in NK activity (P = 0.0025) following the administration of Ag. There was no consistent shift in NK cell number (Leu-11b positive cells). In vitro Ag did not alter NK activity whereas 17-beta-estradiol did. These data are consistent with an indirect effect of Ag on NK activity. Hence in vivo Ag which causes a reduction in serum estrogens in postmenopausal patients, also induces an increase in NK activity.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Villous adenoma of the duct of Wirsung.

A patient presenting with recurrent pancreatitis was found to have a benign polypoid villous adenoma of the duct of Wirsung. The tumor was excised locally via transduodenal access to the duct. The patient has now remained free of pancreatitis for 24 months. Obstruction of the pancreatic duct by this rare tumor appears to have been the cause of pancreatitis. Villous adenomas of the pancreatic duct epithelium may be premalignant.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1987

Modulation of natural killer cell activity by tamoxifen in stage I post-menopausal breast cancer.

Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen which competes for the estrogen receptor, modulates natural killer cell activity in vivo. Seventeen post-menopausal stage I breast cancer patients received tamoxifen for 1 month and a statistically significant increase in NK activity was demonstrated (P = 0.0005). There was a small incremental shift in the number of Leu-11b positive cells. These data demonstrate that tamoxifen functions as a biological response modifier.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Demand oxygen delivery during exercise.

Nine hypoxemic patients with COLD, whose hypoxemia is aggravated by minimal exercise, volunteered for this study. Each subject underwent two treadmill exercise trials at two oxygen delivery settings, each on the DODS and SF delivery systems for a total of four exercise trials. We measured SaO2 via ear oximetry and recorded oxygen usage per minute. We compared the oxygen usage required for the two techniques to achieve an SaO2 of 90 percent. The results indicate that the mean oxygen requirement using the DODS to achieve an SaO2 of 90 percent was 211.4 ml/min as compared to SF delivery which required 1,610.9 ml/min. This implies an oxygen savings advantage of the DODS over SF of 7:1. The fact that the DODS oxygen savings extends to exercise conditions lends support to its use in portable oxygen therapy. Widespread use of this and other oxygen savings techniques could result in significant cost savings while maintaining the desired benefits of supplemental oxygen administration.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Aging and memory.

Although some age-related decline in memory probably occurs, most memory changes that result from normal aging are not as extensive within individuals or as representative within the population as previously had been believed (Zarit et al., 1981). Still, when older adults become aware of memory problems, they typically become quite alarmed (see Poon et al., 1980). One reason for this alarm is that memory loss has been found to be a reliable early sign of organic brain disease. Despite the sadness and severity of problems experienced by these patients and their families, the actual incidence of organic brain disease in older adults remains quite low. Unfortunately, it is possible that older adults' concern about less significant memory loss may compound or magnify problems that do exist. Therefore, when working with relatively healthy older adults, it is important first to consider possible transitory, nonmemory factors that could be contributing to memory problems and then to provide the clients with some perspective on their memory failures.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Absorption, deposition and distribution of dietary aluminium in immature rats: effects of dietary vitamin D3 and food-borne chelating agent.

We report the levels of aluminium, calcium and potassium in selected tissues of growing rats administered dietary or subcutaneous aluminium, and also the effect of dietary aluminium in combination with cholecalciferol, or with lactose plus a dietary chelating agent. Dietary aluminium decreased the growth rate of normal rats and increased the deposition of aluminium in the tissues. Animals given lactose with a dietary chelator showed a 17 - 100% increase in brain, heart, and muscle aluminium concentration in comparison with those fed aluminium alone. Animals fed both aluminium with cholecalciferol also showed increased levels (12-39%) of aluminium, chiefly in muscle and heart in comparison with those fed aluminium alone. Aluminium deposition was correlated positively with Ca2+ and K+ levels among each of these tissues. We conclude that in normal growing rats aluminium deposition is increased in heart and muscle in the presence of vitamin D3 and in brain, heart and muscle in the presence of lactose and a dietary chelating agent.

Aging↗
PubMed1986

The interpretation of bloodspot 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels in term and pre-term neonates.

Bloodspot 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, plasma cortisol, plasma sodium and urinary 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, sodium and creatinine levels were determined in 24 term and 32 pre-term infants on the third, eighth and fourteenth days of life. Pre-term infants, whether 'well' or 'sick', had significantly raised bloodspot 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels (up to 158 nmol/L) compared with those found in term infants (up to 18.8 nmol/L). Urinary 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone creatinine ratios were also higher in pre-term infants. Plasma cortisol results showed similar ranges for term and pre-term infants, and bloodspot 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone/plasma cortisol ratios for day 3 specimens correlated with the degree of prematurity. These results may be due either to immature enzyme systems in the pre-term baby or to an excess of related steroids cross-reacting in the 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone assay. We propose the use of two distinct upper limits of normal of 20 nmol/L (term infants) and 200 nmol/L (pre-term infants), for the interpretation of bloodspot 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels at the end of the first week of life.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1986

Evaluation of the pendant oxygen-conserving nasal cannula during exercise.

There is much recent evidence that patients with chronic pulmonary disease who are hypoxemic benefit from continuous therapy with oxygen. These benefits include reduction in symptoms of cor pulmonale, reduction in mortality, and improvement in quality of life. Oxygen therapy is very expensive, and steady-flow delivery of oxygen is wasteful, since almost the entire benefit of the oxygen presented to the patient occurs at the very beginning of inspiration. We previously described a conserver nasal cannula (CNC) which stores oxygen during exhalation for delivery during subsequent inspirations. The CNC achieves adequate arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) at one fourth to one half of the flow in liters of steady-flow oxygen delivery. Because some patients found the mustache configuration objectionable, a pendant nasal cannula (PNC) was designed, displacing the reservoir off of the face and onto the anterior wall of the chest. While both cannulas require some breathing by nose to function, the PNC is more esthetically acceptable. No studies with exercise have been reported using the PNC. We evaluated the PNC during treadmill exercise in ten subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypoxemia on exercise. We compared the PNC with steady-flow oxygen during steady level treadmill walking sufficient to cause oxygen desaturation while breathing room air at oxygen presentations of 0.5 through 3.0 L/min. At comparable workloads the SaO2 achieved by PNC required one third of the oxygen flow required by steady-flow oxygen to achieve an equivalent SaO2. These differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.01). We conclude that the PNC provides effective delivery of oxygen during exercise, as well as at rest, while minimizing oxygen flow rate and thus substantially reducing the economic burden normally associated with supplemental oxygen delivery.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Pulmonary angiomatoid vascular changes in mitomycin C-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

Angiomatoid vascular changes in lungs and pulmonary hemorrhage are described in a woman in whom mitomycin C-associated hemolytic-uremiclike syndrome developed. These changes represent part of the spectrum of vascular damage that may complicate mitomycin therapy. Patients receiving mitomycin C chemotherapy require careful monitoring for possible development of these complications.

Female↗